jose - soccer

Liverpool have now knocked both Manchester clubs out of cup competitions in the space of four days, which counts as success in these parts whatever the league situation. Last week Kenny Dalglish was scathing of his players' efforts in losing to lowly Bolton Wanderers, this time the smile was back, at least until he was asked a question about the Liverpool fans' constant booing of Evra. Before considering the football, what there was of it, you will be wanting to know about the chanting. Liverpool obviously won the volume contest. There were far more people singing: "There's only one lying bastard," than were rejoining with: "There's only one racist bastard." With all the pre-match debate focusing on Evra's participation, United's goalkeeping situation had been overlooked, Ferguson sprang a surprise by choosing this high-profile encounter to reintroduce David de Gea to first-team duties. It was not a decision that paid off.

Liverpool began to crowd out the young goalkeeper at corners and took the lead after 21 minutes when Steven Gerrard swung one over from the left and De Gea came for the ball but found himself blocked by Andy Carroll, leaving Daniel Agger an easy header. United had begun the match looking the more threatening, with Antonio Valencia striking a post after a good run, though until the first goal there was little apart from the rivalry between fans to quicken the pulse and almost no chance of the occasion being remembered for the football, as had been the wish of both managers beforehand. Playing with only Carroll up front Liverpool rarely bothered De Gea apart from set pieces, and though United also lacked their usual attacking edge in the absence of Wayne Rooney they managed to get back into the game with a well-worked goal before the interval. Antonio Valencia sent Rafael da Silva racing down the right with a backheel flick and, though José Enrique was still favourite to reach the ball first, the United full-back took on his opposite number and delivered a low cross, met perfectly at the near post by Park Ji-sung with a firm finish that surprised Pepe Reina.

Liverpool had an appeal for a penalty turned down at the start of the second half when Chris Smalling stumbled in the area and appeared to put his hand on the ball in falling, then a minute later a rare chance fell Danny Welbeck's way and he failed to take advantage, pushing the ball past Reina towards an empty goal but not firmly enough to prevent Martin Skrtel arriving to tidy up behind his goalkeeper. Charlie Adam came on for the last half-hour and immediately offered a more direct threat than Jamie Carragher had managed from defensive midfield, launching a high cross intended to test De Gea and presumably gaining encouragement when the goalkeeper fumbled it to concede another corner. When Gerrard tried the same tactic from a similar distance it was clear Liverpool had been instructed to play on De Gea, though the Liverpool captain left the field shortly afterwards, making way for Craig Bellamy. Just when it looked as though the afternoon would end in a tame draw, Liverpool struck. (guardian.co.uk)

Gerrard was replaced by Liverpool's midweek hero Craig Bellamy with just under 20 minutes to go as both sides pressed for a winner. The game looked to be heading towards a draw until Kuyt — another second-half sub — became the hero with his first goal of the season. Reina's long boot forward was flicked on by Carroll over the head of Evra and the Dutch striker found himself clear through on goal to fire past De Gea at his near post. Kuyt should have put the game to bed moments later after Carroll had hit the bar but it wasn't to matter for the Reds who can now look forward to Sunday's draw. (thesun.co.uk)

Milan had left earlier by Djibrill Cisse goal that was created when the game has been running for five minutes. However, Milan could turn ahead 2-1 in just 13 minutes.

Milan created Robinho's first goal at minute 15. Brazilian striker managed to convert a cross from Ignazio Abate released from the left side of the Lazio defense. Only five minutes later, Lazio goalkeeper re-collapse. Goalkeeper Federico Marchetti was unable to stem the hard kick Clarence Seedorf after maximizing bait El Shaarawy breakthrough.

Milan almost conceded again, but goalkeeper Marco Amelia swiftly dismissed Francelino Matuzalem header that leads to the lower right corner in the 20th minute. The threat does not deter attacks and Clarence Seedorf et al. Massimiliano Allegri made ​​the team remains in control of the game. However, a number of opportunities created failed to convert into goals. The first round ended with the score 2-1. (bolakick.com)

After halftime, Allegri still maintaining his squad. The decision was made Milan were able to return control of the game. The attacks intensified with the entry Milan Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 70th minute. Merkel replaces Ibra injury. Ten minutes before the fight was over, Shaarawy almost scored.In a convoy of two opposing players, Shaarawy managed to penetrate the penalty box. Unfortunately, the shot misses the target Shaarawy. Lazio goalkeeper eventually completely collapse by Ibra in the 85th minute. Goals stems from a breakthrough bait that is released Emanuelson. Ibra who escaped the offside trap the ball straight into the opponent's penalty box. Stay facing one on one with Marchetti, Ibra had handed the ball to the right side Lazio goalkeeper. Goal was to lock the victory Milan 3-1. (allvoices.com)

Unlike inter, Cavani's second-half strikes secured a 2-0 win at the San Paolo stadium that sees Napoli safely through to a last-four encounter with Siena, who defeated Chievo 1-0 in Wednesday's other quarter-final tie. Walter Mazzarri's side had won just two of their last six Serie A games coming into Wednesday night's match and were facing an Inter side riding a seven-match winning streak in the league, but Napoli turned the form book on its head with an assured display.

Cavani opened the scoring after 50 minutes, stroking home from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box by Thiago Motta, who was named in the side despite being strongly linked with a move to Paris St Germain. Cavani added his second in stoppage time as Napoli denied Inter a place in the semi-finals for the first time in nine years. (7msport.com)

For three weeks, Girondins de Bordeaux and Olympique de Marseille have known that the Ligue 1 trophy would reside either in the Stade Chaban Delmas or the Stade Velodrome for the coming 12 months. The surprisingly Lyon-free conclusion to the end of the season culminated on Saturday evening, with Bordeaux in need of only a point to claim the title for the first time in a decade. Any slip up, though, could allow OM to their first success since 1992.

Les Girondins, who travelled to relegation threatened Caen, had been involved in a similar scenario last season, however, the boot was on the other foot - Laurent Blanc’s men needed Auxerre to upset Lyon. An early OL blitz little over 12 months ago left Bordeaux’s hopes shattered as early as the first quarter of an hour.

Coming off the back of an 11 match winning run in all competitions, Bordeaux’s confidence was burgeoning. However, the remarkable streak of success has been achieved through tenacity and mental strength rather than overwhelming brilliance, although Yoann Gourcuff had sprinkled a little magic over the course of their remarkable sequence, and they were still scoreless at half-time in the Stade Michel d’Ornano. Marseille, playing at home to Stade Rennais, still had hope.

But Erik Gerets’ outfit were also embroiled in a deadlock after 45 minutes. Three minutes into the second half, news filtered through in Provence that Yoan Gouffran - not to be mistaken for Gourcuff - had given Bordeaux the lead. It would now take a miraculous turnaround to reignite Marseille’s hopes. OM did their part, firing four past Rennes as they gave a remarkable second half showing, ending the Bretons’ lingering European hopes.

Meanwhile in Normandy, Bordeaux repelled their increasingly offensively minded hosts, keeping the clean sheet that they so craved and showcased the remarkable resilience that has seen the Aquitaine club finish the season so powerfully.

Blanc summed up Bordeaux’s remarkable success, stating to the press after the game, “You know me, I'm someone who is quite reserved but it's true that I'm going to celebrate this after the match and on Sunday. These moments are so rare and so precious that they have to be savoured.

“It's the perfect recompense for two years of hard work from the players and the coaching staff, who have been fantastic.

“Everybody – even myself – expected Lyon to be champions. Then it was Marseille's turn. It was only late in the day that people realised Bordeaux were on an exceptional run. You have to stop your players from feeling under pressure, and I admit that it is easier to do that at Bordeaux than at some other clubs I could mention.”

Thousands upon thousands of jubilant Bordeaux fans gathered in Place des Quinconces this afternoon to celebrate the club’s title win and to witness their favourites lift the trophy for the first time – the prize was in Marseille on Saturday evening, presumably to allow the victorious side to lift the award in front of their own fans rather than because of any expectation that OM would actually win the crown.

It was therefore literally a case of so near yet so far away for les Phoceens and, understandably, their reactions were somewhat contrasting. “The club wanted to finish first or second and that goal has been achieved. Unfortunately my goal wasn't achieved,” Gerets explained, showing his phenomenal instinct to be the best. “That leaves me with regrets but there were so many satisfying things on a human level here. It was a very special experience.

“I would also like to apologise to the supporters for not being champions. The present I wanted to give these people who've supported me over the last two years was the title, so I'm sorry. I'm sorry to be leaving the club as well.”

Gerets’ efforts at Marseille were commendable and are certainly not deserving of the apologies he gave to the club’s fans, who hold him in such high regard. OM won 12 of their last 16 Ligue 1 fixtures, losing only once in that time frame – championship form. But such a haul of points was insufficient to keep pace with the fast finishing Bordeaux, whose 11 consecutive Ligue 1 successes is a truly historic effort – the best in the league’s history. Les Girondins’ ability to play nearly a third of the season only recording victories is a feat worthy of great respect.

(Robin Bairner, Goal.com)

Chelsea assistant manager Ray Wilkins admits his side’s title hopes are receding after the Blues were held to a surprise 0-0 draw at home to Hull. The west Londoners were jeered off after an insipid performance against the Humbersiders on Saturday, who contained their illustrious hosts with ease and produced several clear-cut chances of their own. Chelsea could fall 11 points behind the leaders Manchester United if the reigning champions win their two games in hand and manager Luiz Felipe Scolari may even start casting anxious glances over his shoulder towards fifth-placed Arsenal unless he can arrest his side’s current slump in form.

This dismal display against a side who have not tasted victory in the English Premier League since December added to the gloom created by last weekend’s tame defeat at Liverpool, and sections of the Stamford Bridge support turned on the Brazilian World Cup winner as his side laboured in the second half.

Scolari’s decision to replace debutant Ricardo Quaresma just after the hour provoked chants of ‘You don’t know what you’re doing’ from the Matthew Harding Stand and the 61-year-old gave anther hint that he is struggling to cope with the pressure of fulfilling Chelsea’s grand ambitions by refusing to attend the post-match press conference. Instead, it was Wilkins who was left to explain this latest sorry display and the former England mdfielder did not attempt to disguise the size of the task that faces Chelsea in the final three months of the season.

‘At the moment, it will be very difficult to catch Manchester United, with the way they’re playing,’ he said. ‘We will try to catch them but they have games in hand on us and they’re quite a few points in front of us as well, so it will be hard. ‘There is pressure, of course, but there always is pressure when you’re at a club as big as Chelsea. Second is never good enough for Chelsea because over the last few seasons, we’ve been a power in the Premier League. We strive to be number one and we would never say that second is good enough. ‘That’s why we’re not giving up on the title - you can’t when you have the kind of talent in our squad. We’ll keep going until it’s mathematically impossible to catch United.’

Wilkins also issued a withering assessment of the supporters who turned on Scolari after their side proved unable to pierce Hull’s exceptional defence. ‘It’s never pleasant to hear that kind of thing,’ he added. ‘It’s pretty evident that Luiz does know what he’s doing: he’s been in the game a hell of a long time and won an awful lot of trophies. ‘It’s unnecessary and it shouldn’t be heard around our stadia. It’s their prerogative to boo if they want to because they pay their money. But to say that someone doesn’t know what they’re doing, when they’ve achieved so much in the game, is a tad out of order.’

The criticism heaped on Scolari might have been yet more venomous had Craig Fagan taken one of two good second-half chances or Dean Marney’s low shot across goal sneaked inside the post rather than just out. Chelsea produced precious little in response, although Wilkins was justified in claiming that the afternoon might have boasted a very different narrative had John Terry not spooned haplessly over the crossbar in just the second minute. That weakness means that most teams visiting the Londoners now do so in the belief they can score.

Phil Brown, the Hull manager, was understandably proud of his players’ efforts, which - if replicated during the remainder of the season - should see them escape relegation with something to spare. ‘If we keep showing that mentality then we will be okay,’ he said. ‘The work rate was phenomenal and, as manager of this side, I’m very proud to have come here and got a point. ‘We didn’t put men behind the ball or park the bus in front of the goal, we played a bit.’

And for Hull City - heading south on the back of a miserable run that has brought just one win in 15 league matches - belief is something that has been in short supply of late. So good was their start to the campaign that they dropped out of the top half of the table for only the first time this season last weekend after a home draw with basement club West Bromwich Albion. Manager Phil Brown hasn’t had much more luck in the transfer market after narrowly missing out on AS Roma’s Christian Panucci and seeing new five million pounds signing Jimmy Bullard quickly crocked by a knee injury. Striker Daniel Cousin has also been ruled out for ten days after undergoing surgery and the only upbeat note for Brown has been struck by the support of his chairman Paul Duffen in the face of unexpected criticism from some of the club’s supporters. Even that, though, confounded the manager who said: "I like to fight my own fights, put it that way."

(source: khaleejtimes.com, thetimes)

Tottenham Hotspur bukan termasuk klub hebat di Inggris, jika dibandingkan dengan Liverpool dan Manchester United. Tapi klub berjuluk The Spurs ini pernah memiliki kkebesarn di era 1980-an. Dan, penyihir yang membawa kebesaran itu tak lain adalah Glenn Hoddle. Gelandang yang membuat permainan Tottenham selalu efektif, berbahaya dan menarik.
Padahal ketika Hoddle masih remaja, nyaris tak ada yang memperhatikan kemampuannya. Maklum, waktu itu Hoddle belum memiliki klub karena hanya bermain dari satu klub ke klub kecil lainnya di Middlesex, kampung halamannya. Beruntung ada teman yang juga striker Tottenham, Martin Chivers. Atas sarannya, Hoddle masuk The Spurs sebagai pemain magang. Bahkan Chivers memberi rekomendasi, sehingga Hoddle diterima.
Belum lama magang di Tottenham, manajer The Spurs kala itu, Bill Nicholson dipecat. Ini justru memberi berkah buat Hoddle. Manajer baru Terry Neill, tak memandangnya sebelah mata seperti pelatih sebelumnya. Neill melihat bakat Hoddle luar biasa dan dengan berani memberi kepercayaan kepadanya saat masih berusia 18 tahun. Agustus 1975 ketika Hotspur berjumpa Norwich, Hoddle diturunkan sebagai pengganti Ian Smith. Sejak itu Hoddle sering dipasang dan menunjukan bakatnya sebagai gelandang kreatif dan punya tendangan keras. Lalu memasuki tahun 1976, dia sudah menjadi pemain inti dan mulai tampil penuh saat lawan Stoke City di bulan Februari. Bahkan berkontribusi untuk kemenangan 2-1 tim ibukota lewat gol tendangan jarak jauh yang memperdayai kiper kenamaan Peter Shilton.
Inilah awal kebintangan Hoddle, tak berapa lama dia segera jadi pahlawan White Hart Lane, markas Tottenham. Permainannya selalu mengundang kagum dan punya gocekan maut serta akurasi umpan yang berbahaya. Meski begitu, baru di era 1980-an, Hoddle membawa kebesaran bagi tim London. Bukan cuma dalam negeri tapi juga tingkat Eropa. Puncaknya dia mempersembahkan gelar Piala FA 2 tahun berturut-turut dan trophy Piala UEFA 1983-1984 kepada klub. Publik White Hart Lane ingat betul, pemain kesayangannya ini berandil besar dalam sukses tersebut. Salah satunya pada partai final FA Cup 1982, Hoddle mengukir gol untuk menaklukan Liverpool.
Terakhir, dia memperkuat Tottenham di final Piala FA tahun 1987, namun sayang The Spurs kalah dari Coventry City 2-3. Setelah itu Hoddle pindah ke Liga Perancis bersama AS Monaco dengan transfer 750.000 pounds. Torehan kenangan Hoddle selama berkostum The Whites adalah 490 laga dan mengoleksi 110 gol.
Meski tergolong uzur, 30 tahun, Hoddle ternyata masih tampil bagus berseragam Monaco yang saat itu diarsiteki calon “Professor” Arsene Wenger. Bahkan Hoddle menjadi motor serangan klub. Puncaknya dengan raihan juara Ligue 1 musim 1987-1988. Ini satu - satunya gelar kompetisi liga yang pernah diraih. Usai membantu Monaco merengkuh trophy Le Championnat, cedera lutut kanan yang dia derita sejak di Hotspur sering kambuh hingga Hoddle jarang diturunkan pelatih.
Tahun 1993 dia pindah ke Chelsea sebagai pemain nonkontrak, bertahan dua bulan kemudian hijrah ke klub Divisi I, Swindon. Hoddle merangkap menjadi pemain – manager dan menunjukan kemampuan sebagai calon manager brilian. Berkat sentuhannya pula Swindon promosi ke Premier League season 1993. Musim itu juga dia langsung kembali ke Chelsea juga sebagai pemain merangkap manager. Sekali Hoddle menjalankan tugasnya dengan baik. Chelsea seperti bangun dari tidur dan mampu bersaing di papan atas dengan para raksasa Premiership lainnya. Cedera yang terus menjerat memaksanya pensiun lalu berkonsentrasi sebagai pelatih.
Bagi public White Hart Lane, Hoddle dinobatkan menjadi pemain terbaik sepanjang masa dan rakyat Inggris menilainya sebagai pemain berbakat St. George Cross era 1980an. Memperkuat The Three Lions 53 caps dan 8 goal.

(reference: soccer classic 23th dec03)

Cristiano Ronaldo beat off competition from Lionel Messi, Xavi, as well as Fernando Torres, and last year’s winner Kaka, to win the FIFA World Player of the Year Award with a total of 935 vote points. In second place was Barcelona star Lionel Messi with 678, while Liverpool striker Fernando Torres finished third with 203. AC Milan star Kaka was not far behind in fourth with 183, while Barcelona's Xavi ended up fifth with 155.

The number 7 of Manchester United was designated best football player of the year for 2008 by FIFA this Monday, the second athlete from the Sporting Clube de Portugal school in Lisbon, after Luís Figo, to win this prize. With 23 years and a long time to grow, Cristiano Ronaldo has the world at his feet. At 23 years of age, Cristiano Ronaldo won the Golden Boot with 42 goals scored in the last season for Manchester United, being Europe's best scorer and best player now the world. He also won the championship of the Premier League in England, and the Champions’ League. He followed this up this term by lifting the Club World Cup in Japan. "The last season for me was the best in the world. And he is a very intelligent player who decides games. When you think he’ll be on the left, then he appears on the right. When you expect him to kick from the left, then there’s a kick from the right."

Ronaldo caps off a clean sweep of the major awards, having also picked up the prestigious Ballon d'Or (European Footballer of the Year) at the end of 2008. The 23-year-old becomes the first English-based player to be named FIFA World Player of the Year, and only the second Portuguese, following in the footsteps of Luis Figo, who triumphed in 2001.

There is no question as to who was the most effective footballer of 2008; like him or not, Cristiano Ronaldo had an on-field effect quite unlike anybody else in the calendar year. The 23-year-old inspired his club side to the Premier League title, Champions League and World Championship and picked up all the individual trinkets and accolades along the way. An exceptional 42 goals in the 2007-08 season stood Ronaldo in phenomenal stead and some murmurs even suggested that the Portuguese forward had overtaken George Best in the affections of the United faithful.

Despite his success and talent, a player of his calibre has never cut such a polemic figure. His detractors often overlook or undersell his achievements and instead point to his posturing, diving, complaining and selfishness as indicators of an overinflated ego and a delusional halfwit foolish enough to believe his own hype, and then some.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between, but our team have given their perception of the best and worst that could come from his winning of yet another award: the FIFA World Player of the Year.

(source: goal.com, etc.)

Manchester United has thrashed Chelsea 3-0 at Old Trafford as the English Premier League champion moved an ominous step closer to leader Liverpool. Nemanja Vidic headed United in front in first-half stoppage time and Wayne Rooney doubled its advantage on the hour with a close-range volley. Dimitar Berbatov completed the rout in the 87th minute to lift United into third place. Alex Ferguson's side is now just five points behind Liverpool and one behind a Chelsea side which was desperately lacking any spark and wilted alarmingly.

United has two games in hand of both its main title rivals. "(Chelsea) had a lot of good possession and they are a threat when they get possession.. .but I don't think they really got a clear-cut chance," Ferguson told Sky Sports. "We said before that we still had all the main teams at home and we really need to win those games. "Janauary is a big month for us with eight games but we've got the squad to cope."

United faces Wigan Athletic on Thursday morning (AEDT) and Bolton Wanderers next weekend. Should it win both, it will be top of the league before Liverpool faces Everton next Tuesday. Defeat was Chelsea's first on the road in the league this season and continued manager Luiz Felipe Scolari's poor record against the top sides since taking over at Stamford Bridge. "This has done big damage to us," the Brazilian said. "We came here to win and now we need to think about what happened with some players." Wigan won for the sixth time in seven league matches when Maynor Figueroa's late header earned a 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, which is third from bottom.

United was dealt a blow before kick-off when central defender Rio Ferdinand was ruled out with a recurrence of a back injury that will require a visit to a specialist next week. However his absence was hardly noticed as keeper Edwin van der Sar barely had a save to make as United made it eight league games without conceding a goal. A yellow card for Frank Lampard after a foul that left Cristiano Ronaldo in a heap set the tone for a messy opening to a match that could be a pivotal point in the season.

United appealed for a penalty when Ashley Cole appeared to block a cross with his arm, but it took it half an hour to force Petr Cech into a save from a Berbatov shot. United began to ratchet up the pressure on the Chelsea goal just before the interval. John Terry was forced into one desperate block from a Park Ji-sung shot before Ronaldo had a headed goal disallowed after referee Howard Webb ordered a crafty United corner to be re-taken - much to the fury of Rooney.

Chelsea failed to learn its lesson and as Giggs delivered the ball again in stoppage time, Berbatov got a slight touch and Serbian defender Vidic crept in at the far post to nod the ball past Cech. The goal knocked the stuffing out of Chelsea and despite Scolari sending on Nicolas Anelka to partner Didier Drogba up front after the break, it was United which moved up a gear. A sweet movement on the hour mark saw Ronaldo's back heel release Patrice Evra and his pacey cross was met first time by Rooney to double United's lead. United could have scored on numerous occasions as Chelsea wilted before Berbatov supplied the final flourish, connecting with a Ronaldo free kick.

(source: www.abc.net.au)

Grande Partita Serie-A, Juventus maintains the challenge on champions Inter Milan as they beat closest rivals AC Milan 4-2 in an open and entertaining match.

Del Piero opened the scoring with a penalty after only fifteen minutes when Marek Jankulovski brought him down in the penalty area. Pato equaled the scored just after the half hour after Kaladze set Ronaldinho free and his pass into the area was well met by the young star who had an easy tap-in. A powerful header from Chielini restored the one-goal advantage. Juventus scored again seven minutes later when Brazilian Amauri headed home his side’s third. AC Milan reduced the deficit eleven minutes into the second period when Ambrosini's shot flew into the net. But Amauri settled the match with a well-taken goal after a one-two with midfielder Sissoko.

And El Clasico La Liga, late goal from Samuel Eto'o and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-0 at a rain-soaked Camp Nou to move of their arch rivals in title race. Former Real old boy Eto'o had seen Iker Casillas save his penalty on 70 minutes but picked himself up to break the deadlock seven minutes from time and Messi produced a delicate chip in stoppage time to spark wild celebrations.

It was Barca's first win over Real since November 2005 and was sweet revenge for last season when Real did a league double and Barca had to perform the guard of honour to salute Real as champions at the Santiago Bernabeu before losing 4-1.

For new Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos, who took over from Bernd Schuster four days ago, it was a bitter pill to swallow and the former Tottenham Hotspur manager has a mammoth task to help Real win a third consecutive title.

It is a complete turnaround from last season when Real opened up a seven-point cushion with a 1-0 victory at Camp Nou before strolling to the title.

“It is certainly difficult to take,'' said Real captain Raul. “We had chances but then conceded two late goals and have to take it on the chin. “We are not giving up (in the title race) as it is a long season and there are lots of points to play for. We have to absorb this defeat and carry on.''

(source: http://eurochampsleague.com&foxsports.com)

Newly-crowned European Footballer of the Year, Cristiano Ronaldo has expressed his joy at picking up the coveted Golden Ball accolade. It was perhaps an expected victory in the 2008 Ballon d’Or race. Manchester United and Portuguese ace Cristiano Ronaldo convincingly brushed aside his rivals, Lionel Messi and Fernando Torres by tallying a record 446 points, beating the previous mark of 444 amassed by Kaka last year.

In a brief interview with the publication that hands out the award, France Football Magazine, Ronaldo expressed his delight to join the elite group of players to take home the gong.


“To win this award at just 23 years of age is incredible, because I only started my career a few years ago,” he told the magazine. “But it is fantastic as there were a lot of other big names in the race this year such as [Lionel] Messi, [Fernando] Torres and even Xavi. “All these players could have won it, but nevertheless, I’m happy to have taken it,” he added.

Ronaldo then went on to show is gratitude to his teammates for playing a part in his success.“I have to thank all my teammates who helped me become the best. “I was never afraid of whether or not I would win it because I was always conscious of the great year I had last season.

“This is one of the happiest days of my life. Those who know me or who have lived with me know that this is a dream come true for me. “But tomorrow morning in training, I will still be the same person as always,” he concluded.

Ronaldo becomes only the third Portuguese, after Eusebio and Luis Figo, to win the Ballon d'Or.

(source: KS Leong, Goal.com)

A late John Terry header ensured England continued their resurgence under Fabio Capello with a 2-1 victory over Germany in Berlin to end 2008 on a high. England travelled to the German capital ravaged by injuries and surrounded by debate regarding the importance of Wednesday's friendly, but Capello's side produced a thoroughly convincing display to secure a fifth successive win.

The Three Lions - who recorded a famous 5-1 success on their last visit to Germany - took a scrappy lead in the 23rd minute as centre-back Matthew Upson poked home after Rene Adler had flapped at a Stewart Downing corner. After the interval, England continued to enjoy the better of proceedings but substitute goalkeeper Scott Carson endured a horrible mix-up with Terry to allow Germany striker Patrick Helmes to equalise on 63 minutes.

The game, both sides' final outing of the year, then continued in entertaining, end-to-end, fashion and England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips rattled a post from range. England, though, then ensured Germany suffered their first defeat in Berlin since 1973 as Terry met a Downing free-kick to head in with six minutes remaining. When the Three Lions analyse 2008, there will be a massive gap in the middle when they should have been at the European Championship. That absence was not Capello's fault of course. Yet if the by-product of two years' failure under Steve McClaren is a coach with vision, willpower and knowledge, maybe the pain was worthwhile.


Capello has always said his is an evolving process. And this England was markedly different to the one he turned out against Switzerland last February, both in performance and personnel. Only three of the players that started against a German side lacking Michael Ballack, Philipp Lahm and Torsten Frings featured against the Swiss, when England were hesitant, fearful and fortunate to win. However, it appeared they had spent the intervening nine months training together every day such was the cohesion they showed and adherence to a gameplan Capello has vowed there was no need to change despite suffering the loss of so many major players.

Germany's only first-half threat came through the excellent set piece delivery of Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Heiko Westermann sending a powerful header just over. It never could be another 1966, 1970, 1990, 1996 or 2001 but the noise of German fans whistling their own team off the field at the interval in its own way provided a memory to cherish.

The major disappointment was England only had one goal to shout about by the break. Aside from a good effort from debutant Gabriel Agbonlahor, Wright-Phillips came close on a couple of occasions and Downing forced an excellent save out of Adler. The shot-stopper was less convincing when England opened the scoring as he came to punch Downing's corner with purpose after an Upson effort had been deflected wide. He missed it completely.

Agbonlahor probably should have bundled home. Instead, the ball bounced down off the striker and Upson launched himself at it, prodding his first England goal into an empty net. In four successive appearances, Upson looks accomplished and more than just a mere stand-in. The same is true of Downing. And, after nutmegging Schweinsteiger, he drilled a low shot narrowly wide.

After the half-time break, Wright-Phillips nearly scored in memorable fashion after a mazy run before substitute Darren Bent beat the German offside trap, skipped round replacement keeper Tim Wiese and looked to tap into an empty net. Had he done so, the game would have been over. Instead, with glory beckoning he half tripped over his own feet, half lost his balance. The result was a glaring miss.

The consequences were huge as England's age old capacity to shoot themselves in the foot reared its ugly head again. As he could see the whole picture, in particular Helmes bearing down at some speed, Carson, on his first England appearance since his nightmare against Croatia 12 months ago, should have taken charge of the situation.

Sensing hesitation, Terry should simply have whacked it onto the running track behind the visitors' goal. Between them they did neither, allowing Helmes to stick out a leg as Terry tried to shepherd the ball to Carson, nudge it through the helpless keeper's legs and gleefully skip past. That England recovered their composure so quickly is another glowing testament to Capello's managerial abilities.

When Wright-Phillips saw his thunderbolt shot crash to safety off a post 11 minutes from time, it seemed the win England wanted would elude them. Terry had other ideas. The Chelsea defender met a chipped free-kick from Downing - who was excellent throughout - to secure a merited success.

(source: skysports.com)

Back attendance Francesco Totti bring positive impact to the AS Roma appearance. Assists on the 'Prince of Roma' Giallorossi successfully won this prestigious party, Derby della Capitale, defeat Lazio 1-0 advanced in the league Serie A in Italy this week to the 12 that took place at the Olimpico Stadium, Roma. The only goal victory over Roma produced Julio Baptista five minutes after the second round began.

Although not able to take the position that the team still fall under the board in the forum, at least, victory in the Derby party candidate to become spiritually supplies for Totti and reduce the burden of pressure that perch on the shoulders the coach Luciano Spalletti.


Prove a Derby party, the second team since the beginning of each race to create opportunities through wicket opponent. Rome, which appear super-offensive, in addition to Totti, Spalletti also lower Mirko Vučinić and Baptista, the road appears to control the game in the first 10 minutes. In the 18 minutes, Roma's first opportunity to get through Vucinic utilize the bait bounce Christian Panucci.

Lazio heading reply through their top scorer, Mauro Zarate is still on the rebound rule wicket Doni. In 30 minutes, backlash distance Zarate fall right in the embrace Doni. Three minutes later, turn Rome. I kick the ball Vucinic utilize vomiting in the penalty box bounce away. Similarly, speculation Baptista backlash in the four minutes before the first round ended.

At the beginning of the second phase, Roma appear more ferocious. Less than five minutes, Totti's moving through the right side of defense Biancocelesti. Bait side with a perfect successfully used by Baptista. The ball led to the far goalpost pole Carrizo. 1-0 to Roma. Not until one minute later, Lazio narrowly equate success Zarate position when the extraordinary can still blocked out by Doni.

In 60 minutes, Lazio coach, Delio Rossi to make changes with the formation Mourad Meghni and attract exit Stefano Mauri. Lazio seek more viable goal replies. Five minutes later, Goran Pandev speculative kick from outside the penalty box only thin sideways in the right goalpost Doni.

One minute later, Lazio beaten after referee Gianluca Rocchi dropping the second yellow card alias red card to Cristian Ledesma. Although the deficit players, Lazio still able to compensate Roma game. In the minutes to-69, kicking team captain, Tomasso Rocchi still thin on the rebound rule wicket Doni.

Five minutes later, Lazio again get the chance. Working with Rocchi, Pandev throw hard shot that can still be blocked Doni. In the minutes to-77, Roma nearly get the second goal when backlash Jeremy Menez incoming replace Totti can still be blocked Carrizo.

Four minutes before the normal time ended, Rome must appear with 10 players when Simone Perrotta got second yellow card. Lazio since we had more touchdown find a reply. Opportunities occur in gold to-89 minutes when heading back the origin of Switzerland, Stephan Lichtsteiner still bounce in the wicket of the ruler. Until the final whistle sounds, a score of 1-0 for Roma remain unchanged.

Line-up:
Roma:
Doni, Tonetto, Juan, Mexes, Panucci (Cassetti), De Rossi, Brighi, Perrotta (KK, KM), Vucinic (Taddei), Baptista, Totti (Menez).
Lazio:
Carrizo, Radu (KK), Rozehnal, Siviglia, Lichtsteiner, Ledesma (KK. KM), Mauri (Meghni), Brocchi (roma), Zarate, Rocchi (Inzaghi), Pandev.
Referee: Gianluca Rocchi.

(source:liputanbola.com)

Stadio Olimpico will be boiling this Sunday as Lazio and Roma go head-to-head in the Eternal City for the season’s first Derby della Capitale.

Things look a little different this season. High flying Lazio are 14 points ahead of their struggling city rivals, who are frighteningly close to the relegation zone. Is the balance of power shifting in Rome? The fierce rivalry between the teams makes this fixture one of the most anticipated games in Italy as more than the bragging rights are at stake. Never mind the Scudetto, beating the rivals is the foremost priority for all Romanisti and Laziali.

The formbook goes out the window on nights like these and all three points are up for grabs. The winners will be the team that shows the most character on Sunday. Emotions steer the path and honor is at stake—in other words, it’s personal.


Disastrous is the way to describe Roma this season. Ten goals produced and eighteen conceded. Totti was back in the scoresheet on Roma’s last outing against Bologna, but unfortunately—so was Cicinho.

After the impressive win over Chelsea in the midweek Champions League clash, three points looked likely on their following trip to Bologna as their long-awaited turnaround seemed to be in the cards. Cicinho’s unfortunate own goal in the stoppages saved Mihajlovic's debut but the Giallorossi remained in 17th place in the league—only one point shy of the relegation spots.

De Rossi is ready for the derby despite having picked up a wrist injury in training on Thursday. The defensive midfielder has been one of the few bright spots in Roma thus far and his participation against Lazio is one of most importance for Spalletti. Cicinho, Taddei, Baptista, and Okaka all failed to take part of Thurday’s training and remain uncertain for Sunday night’s derby. Goalkeeper Doni sustained a head injury against Bologna, but the Brazilian is out of danger and is expected to start against Lazio. Playmaker David Pizarro is sitting out his suspension and Aquilani is ruled out due to a thigh injury.

Roma can make amends with a win against Lazio and get the mentality boost they so desperately need whereas a defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals would not only be a devastating blow to the club but also make life extremely difficult for the players.

(source: http://bleacherreport.com)

Bundesliga newcomers Hoffenheim stormed back to the top of the league with a display of attacking football that left their rivals dumbfounded. The small club from the village of Hoffenheim, playing their first season in the Bundesliga, have had a dream start, similar to that of high-flying Hull City in the English Premier League. A backheel from Demba Ba, a cracker from Carlos Eduardo and a penalty from Vedad Ibisevic sealed a 3-1 victory over strugglers Bochumand - yet another three points for Hoffenheim to put them back on top of the table.

Bayern Munich's recovery is continuing after a woeful start to the season, and they were thankful for star man Franck Ribery who capped a powerful display with a goal to seal a 2-1 away win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Martin Jol’s Hamburg, still smarting from their recent 3-0 defeat to Hoffenheim, also kept their title hopes alive with a 2-0 victory over Stuttgart thanks to a Piotr Trochowski penalty and a deflected goal from Joris Mathijsen to move within two points of the unlikely leaders. The game was marked by another angry outburst from Stuttgart keeper Jens Lehmann, who was furious that Jarolim had gone down too easily to win the spot kick.

The other game on Wednesday night ended 1-0 as Dortmund scraped an away win at Cologne. Hoffenheim fans will love waking up this morning and seeing their club at the top of the league. The question is, can they stay the distance?

(source: www.bild.de)

Awal karirnya di Arsenal dimulai saat Arsene Wenger – manajer Arsenal – menugaskan Steve Rowley berangkat ke Spanyol. Ketua pemandu bakat itu diinstruksikan memantau Fabregas di Barcelona, yang kala itu masih berusia 16 tahun. Saat itu Cesc – panggilan Fabregas – belum seterkenal sekarang. Dia hanya satu diantara banyak pemain muda yang tergabung di Barcelona junior. Rowley langsung kepincut. Dan musim panas 2003, resmilah Arsenal meminang Fabregas. Baru 2 bulan kemudian kebintangannya terlihat di Finlandia. Cesc berlaga di Piala Dunia U-17 bersama tim junior Spanyol. Meski bukan striker, Cesc mengemas 5 gol – termasuk golden goal spektakuler ke gawang Argentina saat menang 3-2 di semifinal. Walau kalah dari Brazil di final tapi penampilanya tetap mengundang decak kagum dan membuat Barcelona tersadar. Menyesal melepas pemain berbakatnya ke klub lain. Joan Laporta – presiden Barcelona – kecewa dan menuduh kubu Arsenal melakukan kecurangan saat mendapatkan pemainnya. Tapi komplain tersebut terlambat. FIFA telah mengesahkan kontrak 6 tahun Cesc dengan The Gunners – julukan Arsenal. “Laporta ‘menangis’ karena kebodohannya,” ujar Joseba Diaz – agen Fabregas. Sebulan sebelum Cesc pindah ke Arsenal dirinya berdiskusi dengan manajemen Barca. Hasilnya, “Klienku ingin pindah,” kata Diaz. Kehidupan baru di London, Cesc diberi tempat di tinggal High Barnet bersama Phillipe Sanderos – yang saat itu masih bermain di Arsenal. “Saat pertama kali pindah kesini merupakan saat yang beresiko. Tinggal sendiri, bergabung dengan tim yang para pemainnya belum kukenal, dan hal itu terjadi di negara lain,” kenangnya.
Cesc ternyata bisa beradaptasi. Pada Oktober 2003, dia tampil bersama tim utama. Bahkan mengukir rekor klub sebagai pemain termuda yang tampil di tim senior. Umurnya baru 16 tahun 177 hari saat Arsenal bertandig melawan Rotherham di putaran ke-3 Piala Liga. Prestasinya berlanjut dengan gol pada 2 Desember 2003 ketika Arsenal menang 5-1 atas Wolves di putaran-5 Piala Liga dan mencatatkan namanya sebagai pencetak gol termuda The Gunners. Wenger pun berujar, “soal Fabregas, visinya brilian. Dia memiliki semua yang dibutuhkan untuk menjadi pemain hebat.”

Musim pertamanya di Arsenal, Cesc cuma tampil 3 kali di tim senior. Itu pun hanya di Piala Liga. Selebihnya cuma di tim cadangan. Kesempatan tampil datang di laga pramusim Amsterdam Tournament. Diturunkan Wenger melawan Ajax dan River Plate. Juga bermain saat mengalahkan Manchester United di Community Shield. Penampilan sensasionalnya mengundang pujian The Professor – julukan Wenger. “Dia pebola yang luar biasa. Dia akan selalu berada di tim selama dia sanggup bermain lebih baik dibandingkan pemain lain.” Kemudian namanya mulai digadang-gadang sebagai pengganti Patrick Vieira. Dan saat akhirnya sang skipper benar-benar hengkang, posisinya menjadi seolah tak tergantikan. Bahkan Cesc sukses membawa klub London tersebut berlaga di final Liga Champion. Meski akhirnya ditundukkan Barcelona, yang memang saat itu tengah berjaya. Aksi gemilangnya di Premiere League, terpantau juga oleh timnas Spanyol. Fabregas sudah jadi langganan di tim junior Matador, U-17, U-19, dan U-21. “Ketika dia masih junior, kami sudah mengetahui bakat dan kualitas yang dimilikinya. Hebatnya lagi, hal itu dia tunjukan di luar Spanyol, yang tentu saja lebih sulit.” sebut Inaki Saez, mantan pelatih Spanyol.
Di negara asalnya itu juga isu kepindahannya merebak. Dari ibukota, klub raksasa Real Madrid pun tergoda. Siapa yang berani meremehkan urusan transfer Florentino Perez – bos besar El Real. Selain itu Barcelona yang masih “sakit hati” atas kecolongan mereka dulu, berniat mendatangkan kembali Fabregas. Bahkan tak tanggung-tanggung akan di jadikan satu paket transfer bersama Henry. Pada akhirnya cuma Henry yang jadi berlabuh ke Camp Nou. Tapi Barca tak berhenti menggoyah Arsenal. Seperti ingin balas dendam, musim berikutnya giliran Hleb yang dibajak dari Emirates Stadium.
Namun Wenger justru semakin yakin dengan tim muda-nya. Di lini depan aksi bomber asal Togo, Emanuele Adebayor yang tak kalah tajamnya dari King Henry. Begitu pun kepergian Hleb dan Flamini, yang digantikan Sameer Nasri. Fabregas juga punya keyakinan serupa terhadap timnya. Apalagi bersama Spanyol Cesc baru saja merengkuh trofi Piala Eropa 2008. Ketenanganya mengeksekusi tendangan adu penalty lawan Italia di perempat final, disebut-sebut sebagai awal kesuksesan tim yang saat itu masih di arsiteki Luis Aragones di Austria-Swiss. Tinggal menunggu hasil di akhir musim panas nanti, apa yang bisa Fabregas persembahkan bagi klub yang telah membesarkan namanya di lapangan hijau.

(referensi: Tabloid SOCCER no.16/v/sabtu, kolom spesial Ben Littleton)

1. Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus)
Since the stand: 30 January 1911
Manager: Temuri Ketsbaia
Surviving the group phase: Beat Olympiacos CFP (Agg: 3-1)
Cyprus champion this history by becoming the first team Cyprus, which passes to the Champions League. Despite being the best in Cyprus, from the layout of the players that there is only name Traianos Dellas and the manager Temuri Ketsbaia who has been known publicly. Dellas was transverse cross with Sheffield United, Perugia, Roma and the U.S.. Meanwhile, Ketsbaia draw experience with playing in the English League Primer for Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers. However, Anorthosis have shown that they have a greater opportunity to escape to the heat than 16 large Werder Bremen or Panathinaikos FC are a group with them. Matchday 3 will be very important because they will be faced with the Nerazzurri, and the match will be a test for the club berlogo Phoenix bird to know their position in the elite European teams.


2. 1907 CFR Cluj (Romania)
Since the stand: 1907
Manager: Maurizio Trombetta
Club origin city Cluj-Napoca is the most surprising team in the Champions League this time after the bend to U.S. Roman 2-1, and reach a point of the season and finalists Chelsea.

Four digits to open the eyes of other teams and make Giallorossi and Bordeaux-ketar because when the team originally formed by the railway workers are most likely to accompany the Blues to act as the favorite of 16.

Results apart from the appearance of the players also attributed to the strategy right from Trombetta. The manager who only play in Serie A during two seasons that valuable lessons in the field of Francesco Guidolin to become assistants at the time Udinese and Bologna.

When Cluj continue to be able to reach a number in the next MatchDay, then stay waiting time when the team was broken into after andalannya players and the manager also purchased by other European big clubs.


3. FC BATE Borisov (Belarus)
Since the stand: 1973
Manager: Viktor Goncharenko
Surviving the group phase: over Levski Sofia (Agg: 2-1)
BATE new name will appear on the surface when the topic is discussed Alexander Hleb. This happens because BATE into the senior team's first sharpen the career Hleb in the world of football.

In addition, the performance of the team is only limited in the scope of Belarus with a league champion as much as 4 times.

In the Champions League first season, yellow, blue team together to complete the Fire group, which also consists of Juventus, Real Madrid, and other team debutan Zenit St. Petersburg.

Rather than direct diver placed a lock, even BATE successfully seize a number of Juventus though less from Madrid. It seems children Viktor Goncharenko is better to try to survive in the third position to be able to pass to stage UEFA Cup.


4. Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia)
Since the stand: 1925
Manager: Dick Advocaat
To pass innings Group: UEFA Cup champions 2007/08
From the third debutan other team, Zenit is a team that most dijagokan in the first season in the Champions League. UEFA Cup of diraihnya that, and also the victory against Manchester United in the UEFA Super Cup arena shows it is correct.

In addition to achievements in the field, Zenit also estimated to be automatically done more with the financial support from Gazprom in Russia's largest company, which is also the owner of Zenit.

Advocaat of course, must be specially targeted, and at least 16 large position in the second innings when the group ended. That means the Zenit must remove one of Madrid or the Bianconeri. Not an easy task, of course.

But if Juventus see down of appearance in the domestic and Europe this time, not the second position may not be achieved. Moreover, when Andrei Arshavin still play for Zenit and the club rejected a bid from England, Spain, and Italy who want to buy.

(source: Goal.com, written by Alexander Tangidy)